Accessory Dwelling Units

Accessory Dwelling Units (A.D.U.):

A separate, self-contained dwelling unit which is subordinate to and located within the principle dwelling unit and/or permitted accessory building located on the same lot.

Dwelling Units:

A room or group of rooms occupied or designed to be occupied for human habitation which provides cooking, sleeping and sanitation facilities for one or more persons living as an independent and separate housekeeping establishment with independent access and which may include those accessory uses specifically permitted by this By-law.

Lot Coverage:

Lot Coverage is defined as the percentage of the lot area covered by all buildings on the property, including covered front porches, but excluding swimming pools, rear or side decks, uncovered front porches, patios, and mechanical equipment. 

Building Coverage/ Floor Area:

Building Coverage is defined as the internal space on any storey of a building between exterior walls and firewalls, including the space occupied by interior walls and partitions but not including exits and vertical service spaces. No private garage, carport, breezeway, porch, deck, terrace, verandah or unheated sunroom, balcony, heating and mechanical spaces, attics, or any floor area with a ceiling height less than 1.95 metres may be used to calculate minimum floor areas as required in this Zoning By-law.  

For precise and complete definitions, as well as additional terms, please refer to Section 3 of the Township's Zoning By-law.

General Regulations

• • One parking space is required per unit on the property.
    • Parking spaces must measure 5.5 metres by 2.75 metres outdoors, or 3.0 metres by 5.5 metres in a garage. 

Attached A.D.U. - (Basement units, additions, second floors)

• • The floor area of all attached A.D.U.s must not exceed 49% of the floor area of the primary dwelling.
  • If located in a basement, an A.D.U. is permitted to occupy the entire basement.
  • New additions, below grade entrances, and side yard entrances will require a grading plan. 
  • ADUs are exempt from maximum lot coverage provisions in the (A) zone. 

Detached A.D.U. - (Garden suites, tiny houses, mobile homes)

One Storey A.D.U.

• • A.D.U. must not exceed 112 square metres (1,205 sq ft) in building coverage.
  • Peaked Roofs have a maximum allowable height of 4.5 metres (14.7 ft), and Flat Roofs have a maximum allowable height of 3.7 metres (12.1 ft).
  • Must be located in the side or rear yard and maintain a 4 metre (13.2 ft) rear yard setback as well as a 1.2 metre (4.0 ft) side yard setback.
  • Must be located within 50 metres of the farm cluster.
  • New additions, below grade entrances, and side yard entrances will require a grading plan. 

Mobile Home

• • Alternatively, mobile homes are permitted and are restricted to a maximum width 
    of two sections each measuring 4.88 metres (16 feet). Mobile homes must have 
    a CAN/CSA-Z240 certification from the builder to be permitted by the Township.
  • Peaked Roofs have a maximum allowable height of 4.5 metres (14.7 ft), and Flat Roofs have a maximum allowable height of 3.7 metres (12.1 ft).
  • Must be located in the side or rear yard and maintain a 4 metre (13.2 ft) rear yard setback as well as a 1.2 metre (4.0 ft) side yard setback.
  • Must be located within 50 metres of the farm cluster.
  • New additions, below grade entrances, and side yard entrances will require a grading plan. 

A.D.U. Above an Accessory Building

• • A.D.U. must not exceed 112 square metres (1,205 sq ft) in building coverage.
  • Peaked Roofs have a maximum allowable height of 7.0 metres, and Flat Roofs have a maximum allowable height of 6.0 metres.
  • Must be located in the side or rear yard and maintain a 4 metre rear yard setback as well as a 3 metre side yard setback.
  • Must be located within 50 metres of the farm cluster.
  • New additions, below grade entrances, and side yard entrances will require a grading plan. 

Note: An Accessory Building is permitted in addition to an A.D.U. in the (A) and (R-1) zones only and have separate building coverage calculations.

Note: Most detached A.D.U.'s that impact surrounding soil will require a grading plan.

Note: A.D.U.'s are exempt from maximum lot coverage provisions in the (A) zone. 

Minimum Distance Separation (MDS)

• • All proposed A.D.U.'s not contained within or attached to the primary dwelling will need to complete and submit a Minimum Distance Separation calculation to the Township. 

General Regulations

• • One parking space is required per unit on the property.
    • Parking spaces must measure 5.5 metres by 2.75 metres outdoors, or 3.0 metres by 5.5 metres in a garage. 

Attached A.D.U. - (Basement units, additions, or second floors)

• • The floor area of all attached A.D.U.s must not exceed 49% of the floor area of the primary dwelling.
  • If located in a basement, an A.D.U. is permitted to occupy the entire basement.
  • Allowable height of 10.5 metres (34.4 ft) maximum. 
  • New additions, below grade entrances, and side yard entrances will require a grading plan.

Detached A.D.U. - (Garden suites, tiny houses, or mobile homes)

One Storey A.D.U.

• • A.D.U. must not exceed 100 square metres (1,076 sq ft) of building coverage.
  • Maximum lot coverage of all structures on the property must not exceed 45%
  • Peaked Roofs have a maximum allowable height of 4.5 metres (14.7 ft), and Flat Roofs have a maximum allowable height of 3.7 metres (12.1 ft).
  • Must be located in the side or rear yard and maintain a 4 metre (13.2 ft) rear yard setback as well as a 1.2 metre (4.0 ft) side yard setback.
  • New additions, below grade entrances, and side yard entrances will require a grading plan. 

A.D.U. Above an Accessory Building

• • A.D.U. must not exceed 100 square metres (1,076 sq ft) of building coverage.
  • Maximum lot coverage of all structures on the property must not exceed 45%
  • Peaked Roofs have a maximum allowable height of 7.0 metres, and Flat Roofs have a maximum allowable height of 6.0 metres.
  • Must be located in the side or rear yard and maintain a 4 metre rear yard setback as well as a 3 metre side yard setback.
  • New additions, below grade entrances, and side yard entrances will require a grading plan. 

Note: An Accessory Building is permitted in addition to an A.D.U. in the (A) and (R-1) zones only and have separate building coverage calculations.

Note: Most detached A.D.U.'s that impact surrounding soil will require a grading plan.

General Regulations

• • One parking space is required per unit on the property.
    • Parking spaces must measure 5.5 metres by 2.75 metres outdoors, or 3.0 metres by 5.5 metres in a garage. 

Attached A.D.U. - (Basement units, additions, or second floors)

• • The floor area of all attached A.D.U.s must not exceed 49% of the floor area of the primary dwelling.
  • If located in a basement, an A.D.U. is permitted to occupy the entire basement.
  • Allowable height of 10.5 metres (34.4 ft) maximum. 
  • New additions, below grade entrances, and side yard entrances will require a grading plan.

Detached A.D.U. - (Garden suites, tiny houses, or mobile homes)

• • Accessory Buildings, including the A.D.U., must not total more than 70 squares metres (753 sqft) in building size.
  • Maximum lot coverage of all structures on the property must not exceed 50%. 
  • Peaked Roofs have a maximum allowable height of 4.5 metres (14.7 ft), and Flat Roofs have a maximum allowable height of 3.7 metres (12.1 ft).
  • Must be located in the side or rear yard and maintain a 4 metre (13.2 ft) rear yard setback as well as a 1.2 metre (4.0 ft) side yard setback.
  • New additions, below grade entrances, and side yard entrances will require a grading plan. 

Note: Accessory Buildings and a detached A.D.U. share the combined maximum building coverage size.

Note: Most detached A.D.U.'s that impact surrounding soil will require a grading plan.

General Regulations

• • One parking space is required per unit on the property.
    • Parking spaces must measure 5.5 metres by 2.75 metres outdoors, or 3.0 metres by 5.5 metres in a garage. 

Attached A.D.U. - (Basement units, additions, or second floors)

• • The floor area of all attached A.D.U.s must not exceed 49% of the floor area of the primary dwelling.
  • If located in a basement, an A.D.U. is permitted to occupy the entire basement.
  • Allowable height of 10.5 metres (34.4 ft) maximum. 
  • New additions, below grade entrances, and side yard entrances will require a grading plan.

Detached A.D.U. - (Garden suites, tiny houses, or mobile homes)

• • Accessory Buildings, including the A.D.U., must not total more than 10% of the lot area or 70 square metres (753 sqft) in combined building coverage, whichever is less.
  • Maximum lot coverage of all structures on the property must not exceed 60%.
  • Peaked Roofs have a maximum allowable height of 4.5 metres (14.7 ft), and Flat Roofs have a maximum allowable height of 3.7 metres (12.1 ft).
  • Must be located in the side or rear yard and maintain a 4 metre (13.2 ft) rear yard setback as well as a 1.2 metre (4.0 ft) side yard setback.
  • New additions, below grade entrances, and side yard entrances will require a grading plan. 

Note: Accessory Buildings and a detached A.D.U. share the combined maximum building coverage size.

Note: Most detached A.D.U.'s that impact surrounding soil will require a grading plan.

General Regulations

• • One parking space is required per unit on the property.
    • Parking spaces must measure 5.5 metres by 2.75 metres outdoors, or 3.0 metres by 5.5 metres in a garage. 

Attached ADU - (Basement units, additions, or second floors)

• • The floor area of all attached A.D.U.s must not exceed 49% of the floor area of the primary dwelling.
  • If located in a basement, an ADU is permitted to occupy the entire basement.
  • Allowable height of 12.5 (41.0 ft) metres maximum.
  • New additions, below grade entrances, and side yard entrances will require a grading plan.

Detached ADU - (Garden suites, tiny houses, or mobile homes)

• • Accessory Buildings, including the A.D.U., must not total more than 15 square metres (161 sqft) in combined building coverage. 
  • Maximum lot coverage of all structures on the property must not exceed 60%.
  • Peaked Roofs have a maximum allowable height of 4.5 metres (14.7 ft), and Flat Roofs have a maximum allowable height of 3.7 metres (12.1 ft).
  • Must be located in the side or rear yard and maintain a 4 metre (13.2 ft) rear yard setback as well as a 1.2 metre (4.0 ft) side yard setback.
  • New additions, below grade entrances, and side yard entrances will require a grading plan. 

Note: Accessory Buildings and a detached A.D.U. share the combined maximum building coverage size.

Note: Most detached A.D.U.'s that impact surrounding soil will require a grading plan.

General Regulations

• • One parking space is required per unit on the property.
    • Parking spaces must measure 5.5 metres by 2.75 metres outdoors, or 3.0 metres by 5.5 metres in a garage. 

Attached A.D.U. - (Basement units, additions, or second floors)

• • The floor area of all attached A.D.U.s must not exceed 49% of the floor area of the primary dwelling.
  • If located in a basement, an A.D.U. is permitted to occupy the entire basement.
  • New additions, below grade entrances, and side yard entrances will require a grading plan.

Detached A.D.U. - (Garden suites, tiny houses, or mobile homes)

• • Accessory Buildings, including the A.D.U. must not total more than 10% of the lot 
    area or 70 square metres (753 sqft) of combined building coverage, whichever is 
    less.
  • Maximum lot coverage of all structures on the property must not exceed 45%.
  • Peaked Roofs have a maximum allowable height of 4.5 metres (14.7 ft), and Flat Roofs have a maximum allowable height of 3.7 metres (12.1 ft).
  • Must be located in the side or rear yard and maintain a 4 metre (13.2 ft) rear yard setback as well as a 1.2 metre (4.0 ft) side yard setback.
  • New additions, below grade entrances, and side yard entrances will require a grading plan. 

Note: Accessory Buildings and a detached A.D.U. share the combined maximum building coverage size.

Note: Most detached A.D.U.'s that impact surrounding soil will require a grading plan.

General Regulations

• • One parking space is required per unit on the property.
    • Parking spaces must measure 5.5 metres by 2.75 metres outdoors, or 3.0 metres by 5.5 metres in a garage. 

Attached A.D.U. - (Basement units, additions, or second floors)

• • The floor area of all attached A.D.U.s must not exceed 49% of the floor area of the primary dwelling.
  • If located in a basement, an A.D.U. is permitted to occupy the entire basement.
  • Allowable height of 10.5 metres (34.4 ft) maximum. 
  • New additions, below grade entrances, and side yard entrances will require a grading plan.

Detached A.D.U. - (Garden suites, tiny houses, or mobile homes)

• • Accessory Buildings, including the A.D.U., must not total more than 10% of the lot area or 70 square metres (753 sqft) in combined building coverage, whichever is less.
  • Maximum lot coverage of all structures on the property must not exceed 60%.
  • Peaked Roofs have a maximum allowable height of 4.5 metres (14.7 ft), and Flat Roofs have a maximum allowable height of 3.7 metres (12.1 ft).
  • Must be located in the side or rear yard and maintain a 4 metre (13.2 ft) rear yard setback as well as a 1.2 metre (4.0 ft) side yard setback.
  • New additions, below grade entrances, and side yard entrances will require a grading plan. 

Note: Accessory Buildings and a detached A.D.U. share the combined maximum building coverage size.

Note: Most detached A.D.U.'s that impact surrounding soil will require a grading plan.